A few weeks ago, I visited Taroko Gorge National Park in Taiwan, a beautiful forest green and marble white region in the northeast part of the Island. The views were breathtaking, and on one of our stops I found myself staring down into the gorge near the area where the Laoxi River flows from the marble valley into the Liwu River. There, the unrelenting flow of the river cuts and shapes the marble and limestone ever so slowly, as it has for millions of years. It is this constant, slow force and flow that made and continues to make the gorge what it is, slightly different with each passing day and yet seemingly unchanged to even watchful eyes.
So, too, are we shaped and formed by the flow and presence of God through our lives. Like watching an infant grow, it is nearly impossible to see the distinct changes that are happening on a daily basis, but nevertheless we are being carved out of the stone of human existence, shaped by sacred waters into something beloved by the creator. This shaping happens whether we recognize it or not, pay attention or not, believe in the carver or not. We are shaped through no effort of our own for, despite what pop psychology might want to teach us, we cannot change our true, inner selves. We can play with our exterior, surface selves that the world judges to be “us,” but only the gentle, unrelenting will and grace of God can shape and change our true, inner selves. For we are not God, no matter how we have been changed by the divine power that flows through us. God re-creates us with each passing day, ever so slightly made less so that we might be more for others.
Ask yourself in silence: How has God’s presence and power changed my life over time?
3 comments On Today’s Word: Shaped
Thanks Steve for awakening me to this great truth, which confirms God’s awesome love for us, His beloved. This explains why, oftentimes, we feel miserable wherever we are, and whichever way we turn ourselves, and why our hearts are restless, unless we do turn ourselves to God.
Then and only then, will our iniquity pass away. As we begin to see our true inner selves, so patiently and lovingly shaped by God, so will we resolve that ‘now is the time to do’, and that is the time when we begin to be ‘more for others’, as you have so clearly put!
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good….!
And thanks Steve for reminding us of this!
Peace and Blessings always,
Anthony.
Thank you for this reminder. Sometimes I get in a rush, but God is constant and steady.
Such beautiful imagery Steve! So thought provoking . . . also a valuable reminder that no matter what we do, God is working in our lives, shaping us into who He wants us to be . . . subtly changing each day – perhaps each moment. Thank you! Thank you! You have brought me to a place of prayer this morning!
God bless you!
Kathleen